By formation 
The two best-supported and most attack-minded clubs in the Championship go head to head at the Butts Park Arena on Saturday September 28th when old rivals Bedford Blues are in town for Coventry’s first home league game of the season.
Cov’s 2024/25 Championship campaign by then will be eight days old and head coach Alex Rae will hope his team’s homecoming arrives on the back of opening night success at London Scottish.
Since claiming a home win over Bedford in their first game back in English rugby’s second tier in 2018, recent history between the two clubs has favoured Cov who recorded a home-and-away double over the Blues last term.
But under the guidance of former Bedford skipper Rae’s coaching mentor Mike Rayer Bedford always ask plenty of questions and a series of top-half finishes over the last decade underlines both their attacking potency and their consistency.
In addition to Rae, numerous players share connections to both clubs and this East v West Midlands derby between two sides committed to entertain promises plenty of excitement for what is sure to be a bumper crowd.
Cov play five league games prior to the commencement of the Premiership Rugby Cup in early November with newly-promoted Chinnor being the second visitors to the BPA.
When the Championship resumes in December all eyes will be on the Christmas cracker against title holders Ealing who visit the Butts Park Arena on Saturday 21st.
The Trailfinders lost only four games on their way to lifting the 2023/24 title, one of which came on a memorable day at the BPA when a brace of tries from skipper Jordon Poole saw Coventry edge a 34-32 verdict.
Huge crowds are expected for the cup visits of Northampton and Leicester and this Festive Season clash with Ealing could well mean the BPA attendance record created on Boxing Day 2023 is broken three times in the season that follows.
Doncaster provide tough opposition in January and after the February/March cup block Cov face home games against Cambridge, Caldy and Ampthill in a four-week spell.
Rae’s team then host Cornish Pirates, Doncaster and London Scottish during the last month of a league season that stretches to the end of May.
Season memberships at the BPA include all league, cup and friendly action and are available at https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/membership/
Match Day Tickets can be purchased at https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/tickets/matchday-tickets/
